[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 69 (Monday, April 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E889-E890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SOWING THE SEEDS THROUGH SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 363) to 
     authorize appropriations for basic research and research 
     infrastructure in science and engineering, and for support of 
     graduate fellowships, and for other purposes:

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Chairman, I submit the accompanying 
exchange of letters regarding H.R. 363.

                                         House of Representatives,


                             Committee on Energy and Commerce,

                                   Washington, DC, April 27, 2007.
     Hon. Bart Gordon,
     Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: I write regarding H.R. 363, which 
     authorizes appropriations for basic research and research 
     infrastructure in science and engineering, and for support of 
     graduate fellowships, and for other purposes. I am concerned 
     that certain provisions of the bill as reported may be broad 
     enough to include applicability with respect to biomedical 
     and behavioral research conducted or supported by the 
     National Institutes of Health or other agencies of the Public 
     Health Service. As you know, those matters are within the 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
       I support passage of the bill based on my understanding 
     that you have agreed that the inaction of the Committee with 
     respect to the bill does not in any way serve as a 
     jurisdictional precedent as to our two committees.
       Further, as to any conference on the bill, the Committee on 
     Energy and Commerce reserves the right to seek the 
     appointment of conferees for consideration of any portions of 
     the bill that are within the Committee's jurisdiction. It is 
     my understanding that you have agreed to support a request by 
     the Committee with respect to serving as conferees on the 
     bill (or similar legislation).
       I request that you send me a letter confirming our 
     agreements as to jurisdiction, including with respect to 
     conferees, and that our exchange of letters be included in 
     the Congressional Record as part of the consideration of the 
     bill.
       I look forward to working with you on this important 
     legislation. If you wish to discuss this matter further, 
     please do not hesitate to contact me.
           Sincerely,
                                                  John D. Dingell,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

         House of Representatives, Committee on Science and 
           Technology,
                                   Washington, DC, April 26, 2007.
     Hon. John D. Dingell,
     Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding the 
     consideration of H.R. 363, the ``Sowing the Seeds Through 
     Science and Engineering Research Act.'' I appreciate your 
     support of this important legislation.
       I recognize your Committee's jurisdictional interest in 
     this area as it pertains to the National Institute of Health 
     and other agencies of the Public Health Service. I agree that 
     the inaction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce with 
     respect to the bill does not in any way serve as a 
     jurisdictional precedent as to our two committees, and I will 
     support any request you may make to have conferees on those 
     portions of H.R. 363, or similar legislation, that implicate 
     the Public Health Service. The exchange of letters between 
     our two committees will be placed in the Congressional 
     Record.

[[Page E890]]

       Thank you for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Bart Gordon,
     Chairman.

                          ____________________